A tense standoff between law enforcement and the courts is unfolding in Las Vegas after a judge accused local police of defying his order to release a long-time offender, according to the New York Post. Justice Eric Goodman has warned that officers could face contempt charges for refusing to free 36-year-old Joshua Sanchez-Lopez—a man with a staggering 35 prior arrests.
Sanchez-Lopez, whose criminal record includes involuntary manslaughter, narcotics possession, and vehicle theft, was taken into custody in January on a warrant for grand larceny of a car. Goodman set bail at $25,000 and ordered the defendant to remain under house arrest with an ankle monitor if bond was posted.
However, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department refused. Officials argued that Sanchez-Lopez has a history of skipping court appearances and violates rehabilitation mandates, making him too risky to release. In comments to KLAS-TV, Mike Dickerson, the department’s assistant general counsel, questioned “‘Is this somebody who our electronic supervision program can monitor safely in the community?’”
“This is an issue of public safety,” he urged, setting off the legal battle.
On January 29, police formally declined to release Sanchez-Lopez, pointing to previous episodes, including a 2020 incident when he fled officers while armed and later mocked his ankle monitor on social media, according to the outlet. Days later, on February 5, Judge Goodman pushed back, threatening to sanction Metro Police and Clark County Sheriff Kevin McMahill for ignoring his order.
Metro responded on March 9 by filing a petition aimed at halting what it described as forced noncompliance with the sheriff’s statutory duties. The petition argues that the judge overstepped and that police must retain the discretion to protect community safety. According to The Post, the petition asked “for the justice court to stop trying to force Clark County Sheriff Kevin McMahill to violate his statutory duty.”
Public defenders, however, insist the law is on Goodman’s side. Attorney P. David Westbrook told KLAS, “Metro’s argument is flat wrong.”
“It is the job of the elected judge to decide whether someone charged with a crime should be released and under what conditions,” he continued, adding,“The idea that a Metro employee can overrule a judge’s release order and keep someone locked up should worry anyone who believes in the Constitution and the rule of law.”
According to The Post, Nevada legislation passed in 2020 requires that courts choose the least restrictive conditions necessary when setting bail.